
Class.. 
Book 



AN 






ORATION 



COMMEMORATIVE OF THE BIRTH 



t)W 



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DELIVERED AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH, 



23d of February, 1S24. 



/ — 
BY SALEM DUTCHER, JUN. A. B. 



A1BANT- 

PRINTED- BV J. B. VAN 3TEENBERGH. 

1824,. 



c- 3) 2- 

At a meeting of the General Committee from the different Uuniform 
Companies of this city, held at Paddock's Hotel, on Tuesday 
evening, February 24, 1824, it was unanimously 

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to present to Mr. 
Salem Dutcher, Jim. the thanks of the Military, for his excellent 
and patriotic Oration, delivered at their request, on the 23d inst. 
and solicit a copy for publication. Whereupon C. Webster, T. D. 
Wilson, and W. H. Sniffer, were appointed said committee. 

Albany, Feb. 25, 1824, 

Sir — Having been appointed to express to you, in behalf of the 
military, their thanks for your able and eloquent oration, comme- 
morative of Gen. George Washington, delivered in the Baptist 
Church on the 23d inst. and to request a copy for the press ; we 
unite our solicitation with theirs, and trust that you will comply 
with our wishes, and give us, in common with our fellow citizens, 
the gratification of seeing it in print. 

Most respectfully yours, &c. 
C. WEBSTER, 
T. D. WILLSON, 
WM. H. SHIFFER. 
Salem Dutcher, Jun. A. B. 



Albany, Feb. 26, 1824. 

Gentlemen — Deeply penetrated with a sense of gratitude to 
the Military of Albany, permit me to tender them my sincerest 
acknowledgments for the very kind attentions and flattering civili- 
ties I have experienced at their hands. An(hvhile I with pleasure 
comply with your polite request, by submitting my oration to the 
press, I cannot but indulge the hope that an enlightened community 
will consider the inexperience of the author a sulficient apology 
for the many defects of his production. 

I remain with esteem, Gentlemen, 
Your very humble servant, 
SALEM DUTCHER, Jun 

Messrs. C. Werster, T, D. Willson, & W. H. Shiffer. 



Fellow Citizens, 

Once more through the kindness of a propitious Providence 
have we assembled to commemmorate the nativity of our Country's 
Saviour. Nor are we alone in this delightful task. Millions of 
freemen are now engaged in celebrating with every demonstration 
of joy the day that gave to the world a Washington. — 

Long had our country ground beneath the yoke of despotism — 
long had her choicest sons been doomed to fruitless toil, to enrich 
the haughty land that gave birth to their fathers, — When relying 
on the support of that God, for whose worship their ancestors had 
fled to the desert wild, they determined to shake off the oppres- 
sions of servitude, and to enjoy the rights of freemen ; or perish 
in the conflict. Their foe was now in all the pomp and majesty 
of her power — her canvass was spread to every breeze — her flag 
was the symbol of victory — and the roar of her cannon was the 
knell of the vanquished. America was but a wilderness — no pub- 
lie treasury existed to supply her wants — no navy to protect her 
coast from pillage. Her sons were few and scattered, but they 
were brave and hardy. Disgusted with the pride of their rulers 
and roused by the exactions of the British crown, they exulted in 
the prospect of redress, and liberty or death was the holy cause 
that bound them together. Though the Americans were valorous 
and wise, they were few and needy ; and their efforts of resistance 
would have been paralysed by the might of the British Lion, but 
for the hero, as a tribute to whose exalted virtues we are now as- 
sembled. While the dark cloud of distress hung over our land — 
white every brow was clothed in sadness and every bosom heaved 
with the most gloomy apprehensions, Washington stepped forth a* 



the avenger of our wrongs, as an angel of Liberty, to cheer us on 
our dangerous enterprise, to save us from the cruel grasp of a 
powerful invader, and to guide us to the attainment of happiness and 
freedom. 

Correctly to delineate the character of our hero is a task to 
which I am utterly incompetent. The most matchless eloquence 
would mock the majesty of his soul, and the most seraphic strains 
of the bard could not equal the sublimity of his virtue. Eulogy 
herself, despairing of success, points only to the history of our 
revolution, and retires in silence. 

Let us then briefly notice some of the incidents of his life, which, 
while they enliven our recollection of his deeds of wisdom and of 
valor, and awaken in our bosoms a holy reverence for his memory, 
may stimulate us by a generous devotion to the public welfare, to 
imitate his glorious example. 

The 22d of February, 1732, will be forever commemorated a? 
the Birth-Day of Washington. In the dawn of manhood, while 
his cheek was yet glowing with all the fervor of youth, he was en- 
gaged in the service of his native state ; and it was in the office 
which he at this time held, that he laid that broad basis of military 
skill, which has secured him tbe plaudits of admiring ages. Wash- 
ington, in his youth, was no less eminent for his activity than for 
his deliberation ; and at the time when man just enters on the duties 
of life, he was distinguished throughout our country for his saga- 
city in politics and his enterprize in war. What a splendid exam- 
ple to the youths of America ! 

When the unhallowed footstep of an invader first polluted our 
shores, Washington manfully came forward in his country's cause 
and volunteered his services to defend her rights. 

The defeat of the ill-fated Braddock, and the cool collected 
courage which Washington displayed, while the yelling savages 
were engaged with relentless fury in murdering the unhappy vie- 



ms of misfortune, was the dawn of that greatness which ages 
ust admire. 

From 1759 to 1774, Washington was enjoying the blessings of 
domestic tranquility in the peaceful shades of Mount Vernon. From 
frhat, his favorite retreat, he was called to attend the first congress ; 
and as this was the commencement of our memorable struggle, it 
was the commencement of his glory. 

The British government had now consummated their tyranny. 
Our most sacred rights were trampled upon and our unalienable 
privileges annulled or destroyed at the will of the sycophants of 
the crown. Laws were imposed upon us and the most ruinous 
taxes levied, without our consent. Even the pure fountain of jus- 
tice was polluted —the innocent were dragged to foreign tribunals 
and condemned without even the semblance of trial — while the 
trial by jury, that firm bulwark of a freeman's rights, was denied 
us. The scanty earnings of laborious industry were wrung from 
our hands to gratify the cupidity of our rulers, and the yellow 
harvest was reaped by the standing armies of a foreign power. 

Americans could not long endure indignities like these, but rous- 
ed to a noble opposition, they resolved to brave the horrors of 
war, rather than submit to the insults of their tyrants. 

The 4th of July, 1776 dissolved all political connexion between 
Great Britian and her colonies, and proclaimed to the world that 
we were free. 

" The Representatives of the United States of America in Con- 
gress Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the Universe 
for the rectitude of their intentions, did solemnly publish and de- 
clare, that the said states were, and of right ought to be, free and 
independent ; that they had full power to levy war, to conclude 
peace and to do all other acts and things which independent states 
might of right do ; and for a support of this declaration, with a 
firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, they mutual- 



ly pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their most sacred 
honor." 

In this assembly of statesmen and heroes, Waghington was unan- 
imously chosen to guard our sacred liberties, and to lead the brave 
but untutored sons of America to the combat. " How well, how 
faithfully, the sacred duty was discharged, let the splendid and 
important scenes of seven years conflict proclaim to an admiring 
world." The bloody, and singularly fluctuating, hut successful 
war, which succeded our glorious Declaration of Independence, 
is but a continued series of the magnanimous acts, and the distin- 
guished prudence of our Hero, and his gallant chieftains. Where 
is the toil-worn companion of his arms, whose pulse of patriotism 
throbs not at the recollection of his deeds of heroism ? 

Where is the gallant soldier that would not strive to emulate his 
glorious atchievements when his country's safety should sum- 
mon him to the blood-stained field ? 

The history of our Revolution must be familiar to the mind of 
every American ; and to it we refer you for a recital of his services^ 
as a statement of facts, is the only panegyric that Washington re- 
quires. 



;l To recount all the plans by his wisdom contrived, 
Or the deeds by his conduct and valor alchieved, 
Were to number the gems that Heaven's concave adorn, 
The sands on the shore, or the dew-drops of morn." 



To the horrid din of war, the calmness of peace succeeded ; and 
our noble chieftain, regardless of personal aggrandizement, and 
actuated only by his solicitude for the promotion of the public wel- 
fare, resigned his power into the hands of those from whom he 
had received it ; and like the virtuous Cineinatus having perform- 
ed the duty assigned him, he retired to his favorite pursuits in the 
shades of Vernon. Zealous for the preservation of that liberty. 
his successful arms had atchieved, he disbanded his army and sent 
them peacefully to their homes. Even tho war-worn veteran who 



had braved the perils of the wintry storm, and sought death in the 
thickest of the fight, was melted in speechless agony, when the 
Saviour of our land, in his mild and melancholy accents bade him 
adieu forever. 

" That splendid effulgence of military renown, which in the na- 
tions of antiquity blasted the fairest hopes of the people whose glo- 
vy it atchieved," was by him directed to illuminate the path' of his 
country in the perfection of her freedom. 

- Where, my countrymen, in the annals of the world, can you 
find such an example of magnanimity and moderation ? Attended 
with an army endeared to him by mutual dangers, and obedient to 
his every wish, after he had repelled the ruthless invader from 
our shores and brought peace and plenty to the cottage of the 
poor, he disbands his army, resigns his power and seeks the re- 
tirement of private life. What a splendid, what an invaluable 
lesson for the victorious warrior ! 

History has been searched in vain for his parallel. He may 
have been equalled in prudence or in valor, but in virtue, and zeal 
for his countrys welfare, he stands proudly eminent, an inimitable 
example of human greatness. 

From his peaceful retirement he was called to preside over the 
interests of the vast republic, his valor had rid from a foreign 
yoke ; and by the unanimous voice of a mighty people, our^vene- 
rable chief was elevated to the highest office in a nation's gift. The 
States joyfully confided in his ability and virtue, and his accession 
to the presidential chair was hailed by the aged and the young, 
by the brave and the fair, with the most joyous acclamations. 

As the chief magistrate of these United States, his merits can 
only be justly computed by a knowledge of the magnitude of the 
difficulties he was called to encounter and the glorious results of 
his administration on our liberties and happiness. 



8 

After Washington had presided for eight years in the councils of 
the nation, he retired for the last time from all public employments 
to devote the remnant of his useful life to the service of his God, 
and the happiness of man. 

In private life his virtues shone with more resplendent lustre. 
His benevolence was as pure as it was universal — his affection for 
his species was as extensive as the family of man. Throughout the 
whole of his invaluable life his greatness was never envied — so 
sensible were his countrymen of his matchless excellence. 

To crown the perfection of his character, Washington was a 
christian. His life was uniformly distinguished for the practice 
of virtue, and for his implicit obedience to the will of hi9 Re- 
deemer. He publicly professed his religion and gloried in the 
Success of the cause of Christ. 

By the lapse of time and the irrevocable decree of Heaven, 
Washington was gathered to the bosom of his Fathers, and now 
sits enthroned in peerless majesty in the high and holy realms of 
Light. 

" From Vernon's Mount behold the Hero rise '. 
Resplendent forms attend him through the skies ! 
The shades of war-worn veterans round him throng. 
And lead, enwrapt, their honor'd chief along ! 
A laurel wreath th' immortal Warren bears. 
An arch triumphal Mercer's hand prepares ; 
Toung Lawrence erst th' avenging bolt of war, 
With port majestic, guides the glittering car ; 
Montgomery's godlike form directs the way. 
And Green unfolds the gates of endless day; 
While angels M trumpet tongued" proclaim through air, 
* Due honors for the First of Men prepared !' " 

Though he has left us, my countrymen, for a happier abode, fa 
the regions of unsullied glory, he has bequeathed us his invalua- 
ble Legacy, as a memento of his dying love, ft is the result of 
his wisdom and his goodness — it flowed from the heart of an ex- 
piring ftither, to perpetuate the glory and happiness of his sons — 
it contains the richest lessons of political science, and it should be 
indelibly engraven en the hearts of Americans* 



Let us turn our attention, for a few remaining moments, from 
the character of our Hero, to contemplate the stupendous benefits 
America has received from his services, and the happy changes 
produced in the political world by his wisdom and research. 

The United States now present a spectacle which is the envy of 
Europe and the admiration of the world. Obedient to the wise 
dictates of their venerable founder, they have attained a degree of 
power and glory unparallelled in the history of man. 

Our late conflict, with the pride of Europe, exhibited in a man- 
ner most splendid and successful, the growing energies of our in- 
fant republic. 

Our enemies were invincible in the field — their leaders were 
wise in council and valiant in war. Not a battle was fought that 
did not freshen the laurels on the brows of our warriors, whether 
victory perched on their standards, or superior numbers compelled 
their retreat. 

The deeds of our heroes are fresh in the memory of their 
country — a country which has shown that she is grateful — a 
country which will repay their toils, by enrolling their names on the 
bright tablet of immortality. 

The recollection of the exploits of our gallant navy — our coun- 
try's pride, and the terror of our foes — cannot fail to excite the 
liveliest emotions of patriotism in the bosoms of Americans. 
When the sea was whitened by the canvass of our foe — when her 
proud title of" Mistress o*" the Ocean" had long been conceded — 
and her thunderbolts of war were pouring their destructive ven- 
gence on our defenceless barks, our little navy, which but a few 
months before had stood mantled in green on the sides of our 
mountains, sailed forth to meet their haughty foe. What a noble 
spectacle ! A handful of gallant seamen in their fragile barks going 
forth to engage in desperate conflict with the monsters of the deep. 
Jn these times of high and generous daring ^olujnbia's guardian an- 

2 



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gel was hovering o*er her ; and oft was the proud flag of Britian furl- 
ed by the thunder of American artillery. 

Experience taught us that a navy was our defence ; and soon we 
^aw floating on our waters a noble and a valiant fleet. How glori 
oils must be the reflection to the bosoms of freemen, 

" That the tall pine that bears our flag on high, 
Grew in our soil and ripened in our sky." 

•Scarce half a century has elapsed since our country sprang into 
existence ; yet, even in this short period, her progress in manufac. 
tures anil internal improvements, in the arts and the sciences, is 
unparalleled. 

Our countrymen have taken a generous pride in rivalling the 
productions of foreign skill, and now our domestic manufactures 
vie in elegance and durability with the finest specimens of Europe. 
Our government, sensible of the great advantages of her manufac- 
turing interest, has extended her liberal and fostering hand to pat- 
ronize these infant but fast increasing establishments ; and we have 
much reason to hope, with a laudable pride, that the just prefer- 
ence given to the productions of native industry and skill, will soon 
put an end to our importations from distant climes. 

The progress of our country in internal improvements evinces a 
refinement in taste, and a superiority in skill, as astonishing as they 
are laudable. 

The various public roads, for the promotion of the facility of in 
tercourse and the rapidity and ease of the traveller, cannot be 
mentioned but in terms of the most unqualified admiration, while 
the improvements in internal navigation, find their highest eulogi- 
um in the incalculable benefits resulting from their accomplish- 
ment. 

Even in our own native state, we have lately witnessed the sue* 
Cessful completion of a most stupendous undertaking — an underta" 



11 

king conducted by the unaided energies of a single state — au un- 
dertaking that must put to shame, the pride of European effort. — 
We have seen the waters of our western lakes, connected by an 
artificial river, with the waters of the majestic Hudson — we have 
seen the rich products of our western Eden, wafted on the same 
waters that impart fertility to the soil which bore them, to the no- 
blest of rivers, and thence, over its expansive bosom, to a foreign 
market. A spectacle like this, while it brightens the fame oi 
those who conceived and accomplished this noble work, must ex- 
cite a disinterested and a generous pride in the bosom of every pal 
riotic American, and sting with the keenest anguish, those who en 
vy the prosperity of our land. 

Our progress in the arts, both useful and ornamental, has been 
no less rapid. Under the skill and enterprize of our farmers, ag- 
riculture has attained a degree of perfection, that has far exceeded 
the hopes of the most 6anguine of her friends ; while civilization 
and refinement, have kept pace with her march. — Fields, 
where, but as yesterday, the buffalo grazed in sluggish quietness, 
now yield to the reaper a rich and an abundant harvest. The 
shady forest, where the wild deer bounded in safety, or the fell 
Indian lurked in ambush, is now the delightful situation of the 
thriving village. Vallies that re-echoed to nought but the war- 
whoop of the savage, now resound to the "church-going bell ;" 
and the praises of Jehovah are heard where the murderous Indian 
danced to the discord of the war-song. 

The republican simplicity and grandeur of our public edifices, 
are proud memorials of the proficiency of American architecture. 

The flourishing state of our literary institutions, and the sedu- 
lous care with which our government promotes their usefulness, 
is alike gratifying to the lover of science, and honourable to those 
who thus diffuse the blessings of knowledge. 

The muses, charmed by the romantic scenery of this western 
world, have crossed the Atlantic, and their presence and inspiration 
been recognized with rapture in th^ strains of our youthful 
minstrels. 



12 

Persuasion with all her moving eloquence delights to dwell is 
the accents of our statesmen ; and as liberty is the genial clime 
of poesy and rhetoric, who shall say that Americans, ere long, 
shall not be enraptured with the melodies of a Homer, or be 
transported with the resistless eloquence of a Demosthenes ? 

That happy versatility of talent, which is alike fitted to till with 
profit our native fields, or to lead to victory our youthful warriors ; 
to preside with dignity and honour on the bench of justice, or to 
guard in the councils of the nation the welfare of our land, is the 
distinguishing characteristic of Americans. 

This, fellow citizens, is but a faint and imperfect outline of the 
prosperity of our nation. And shall a grateful people ever forget 
to venerate the memory of him who has thus directed her to hap- 
piness and honour ? 

It is by pursuing the parting injunctions or Washington, that our 
country has attained the exalted and enviable rank she now holds 
among the nations of the earth. Our venerable father has clearly 
pointed out the only road that can lead to national felicity ; and by 
developing a system of government founded on the rights of man, 
he has exploded as a fiction the jus divinum of the monarch. His 
example and his precepts, while they endear him to every friend 
of liberty, must shake the throne of the despot, and consign to dis- 
grace and obloquy the ministers of oppression. 

Liberty is rapidly extending her mild and peaceful sway over 
the kingdoms of the earth. Thrones crumble in her presence, 
and the diadem trembles on the brow of the monarch. 

Goaded by the oppressions of their tyrants, and reduced to 
wretchedness by the rapacity of their minions, our South American 
brethren have arisen in their strength, and expelled despotism 
from their shores ; and liberty now extends the sceptre of peace 
over the land where the unhappy Montezuma was sacrificed a 
victim to Spanish cruelty. 



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Spain, ill-fated Spain, had just emerged from the deep gloom of 
tyranny and superstition, to enjoy the splendour of the sun of free- 
dom, when foreign gold and native avarice consigned her again to 
the rule of her despots. Had she a Washington to lead her ar- 
mies, or to preside in her councils, she would this day have exhi- 
hited another splendid proof that liberty is more than a name, and 
that the rights of man are not always the footstool of the dema- 
gogue. 

The noble efforts of Greece for the attainment of her freedom, 
must excite the deepest interest in the hearts of the scholar, the 
patriot and the christian. With the history of her pristine glory 
are interwoven our fondest reminiscences of wisdom, of patriotism 
and of virtue. She has long groaned under the tyranny of the bar- 
barous mussulman ; but, obedient to the voice of liberty, she has 
burst the fetters of her tyrants, firmly resolved on freedom, or the 
grave. The generous sympathy our countrymen have manifested 
in this glorious cause, and their active exertions to promote its suc- 
cess are proofs to the world, of the invaluable excellence of civil 
and religious liberty. The late victories of the Greeks over their 
moslem foe have given them a decided superiority in the con- 
test, and soon will the ensign of Freedom be displayed in triumph 
from the summit of the lofty Parthenon. 

Soldiers ! Should the unhallowed footsteps of the foeman ever 
again pollute our shores, to you we look for the defence of our 
altars, and our firesides. To you, n times of danger and distress, 
your country will appeal for protection. Imitate, then, the exam- 
ple of our departed hero, and while Columbia crowns with im- 
mortality her brave defenders, her fair daughters will delight to 
twine the wreath of victory for the brow of the youthful warrior, 



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